Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on Tue, 08/12/2009 – 15:28
Bible Book: Luke / Lukas
Chapter: 9
Verse: 28 – 43
Text: Luke 9:28-43
It is useful to read the whole passage from Luke 9:28 to 9:43. If we read only up to verse 36, it could be easy to forget that what happened on the mountain when “the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white” (verse 29b), was not something unconnected and unrelated to what happened before and after this day “below the mountain” where the crowds lived (compare verse 37).
When Jesus prayed to his Father and Moses and Elijah appeared to Him, the disciples had a glimpse of his glory. This glory was no longer obvious to the people who looked at Jesus when He met the other disciples and the crowd the next day. Luke mentions nothing about people reacting to the appearance of Jesus’ face or his dazzling white clothes in verse 37 or 38.
Luke tells of the desperate father of the epileptic son with an unclean spirit who begged Jesus to help his son. And this is exactly what Jesus did. “Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father” (verse 42b).
In verse 43 we read about the result of this healing: “And all were astounded at the greatness of God.”
What happened on the mountain revealed something of the glory of Jesus. What happened the following day when Jesus healed this sick boy revealed something of the greatness of God.
We need both. Both are important.
Therefore it is good and important to worship in church and praise God and become aware of Christ’s glory. It is also good and important to be involved in the brokenness of this world and to help people and to nurture signs of the Kingdom of God: healing, bringing hope, reconciling, supporting, touching people with the love of Jesus.
To think about (or discuss): Some Christians tend to emphasise worshipping God over involvement in the world, while others may consider involvement in the world more important. What do you (we) tend to prioritise? Is it about choosing, prioritising or balance?
Author: N du Toit (Ds)
Language: English